The Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) in Albania has revealed details from an operation carried out on Saturday in cooperation with the State Police, leading to the arrest of three police officials.
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| Albanian police: Shkëlzen Ruska, Ervis Alisinanaj, Erdit Hazizaj, source: Euronews Albania |
Through an official media announcement, SPAK stated that the criminal group was responsible for trafficking a quantity of cannabis from Saranda to Greece, valued at approximately €1.7 million in March 2020, as well as another case involving around 1.3 tons of cannabis, which was seized in Gjirokastër.
The individuals arrested include Shkëlzen Ruska, Chief of Crimes in Himarë; Ervis Alisinanaj, Chief of Crimes at the Lushnjë Police Station; and Erdit Hazizaj, a former police officer.
SPAK's Official Statement
As part of this criminal proceeding, the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime, in close cooperation with Eurojust, Europol, and law enforcement agencies in France and Greece, has conducted investigations into several Albanian citizens involved in criminal activities in Albania and Greece.
During intensive investigations carried out by the investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH), under the direction of special prosecutors, the criminal activities of the suspects were documented, and several perpetrators of these crimes were identified. Some of these criminal acts were carried out in collaboration, in the form of a structured criminal group, as follows:
Between 2019 and 2021, a structured criminal group operated in Saranda, engaging in the cultivation and trafficking of narcotic plants and substances. The creators, leaders, and organizers of this group are suspected to be individuals under investigation: K.Q (alias J.H, alias J.Q) and E.A (alias K.A).
The investigation revealed that members of this structured criminal group had designated roles aimed at cultivating cannabis sativa in Saranda and its surroundings, planting it in specific areas and cultivating it in enclosed spaces.
Working together, members of this structured criminal group secured the narcotic plant, while specific individuals were responsible for transporting the narcotic substance from Albania to Greece. Notably, when members of this group were arrested by law enforcement agencies, other members ensured financial assistance for the detained individuals and protection during judicial proceedings.
In addition to the suspected creators, leaders, and organizers (K.Q and E.A), other members of this structured criminal group involved in drug trafficking from Albania to Greece are suspected to include:
- Italian nationals L.B and D.C, who have been convicted in Greece for this illegal activity, as well as the suspect B.T.
- State Police officers E.D and E.H, who, by exploiting their positions at the time, are found to have assisted the leaders of the structured criminal group by providing continuous advice and information for the smooth operation of the criminal activity related to drug trafficking and ensuring security for other members of the criminal group.
- Other unidentified Albanian citizens who remain under investigation.
The investigation documented a drug trafficking case to Greece on March 7, 2020, through the "Qafë Botë" border crossing, involving 1,144.9 kg of unprocessed cannabis sativa, 4.068 kg of processed cannabis (chocolate), and 0.916 kg of processed cannabis (oil), with an estimated value of approximately €1,700,000. This quantity was seized from two convicted Italian nationals in Greece.
Furthermore, during the period 2019-2021, another structured criminal group was active in the Tepelenë-Gjirokastër area, engaged in cannabis cultivation. The alleged creator, leader, and organizer of this group is suspect L.B (alias E.S), while other members are suspected to include:
- State Police officer SH.R, who, by exploiting his position, assisted the leaders of the structured criminal group by providing continuous advice and information for the smooth operation of the criminal activity related to cannabis cultivation and ensuring security for other members involved in this illegal activity.
- Other unidentified Albanian citizens involved in cannabis cultivation under the direction of L.B.
The investigation documented a case on October 1, 2020, when police services in Gjirokastër seized 1,280 kg of fresh cannabis plants in a closed white Iveco van on a road between Dukaj and Salari villages, Tepelenë. The cannabis was composed of 1,360 plants measuring between 30 – 120 cm.
Additionally, it was established that on September 17, 2020, in Saranda, suspect XH.N was found carrying a 9.5 mm revolver and 17 rounds of ammunition in his vehicle without proper authorization. Investigations revealed that suspect E.A (alias K.A) illegally influenced police officer E.A, who then manipulated the situation so that a minor took responsibility for possessing the firearm, leading to the minor's arrest while he was driving without a license.
Abuse of Office and Legal Consequences
Preliminary investigations indicate that during the 2019-2021 period, suspects E.H, E.A, E.D, and SH.R, who were police officers, deliberately engaged in illegal actions, thereby committing the criminal offense of "Abuse of Office" under Article 248 of the Penal Code. Their actions caused significant harm to the legitimate interests of the state, undermined the credibility of the police, and obstructed their legal duty to maintain public order and security in accordance with the Constitution and international agreements.
Based on a request from SPAK, the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, in Decision No. 17, dated February 28, 2025, issued "arrest in prison" security measures for 10 individuals suspected of criminal offenses, namely:
K.Q (alias J.H, alias J.Q), E.A (alias K.A), B.T, SH.K, XH.B, L.B (alias E.S), E.H, E.D, SH.R, and E.A.
On March 1, 2025, the orders for executing Decision No. 17 were carried out by the Police Supervision Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation under the direction of SPAK. The following individuals were arrested:
- E.H, who previously worked in the Operational Force Directorate of the General Directorate of State Police and was dismissed from the force in 2022.
- SH.R, who at the time of the offenses was working in the Anti-Narcotics and Illegal Trafficking Sector in the Gjirokastër Police Directorate and was recently serving as the Head of the Crimes Investigation Section at the Himarë Police Station.
- E.A, who was the Head of the Crimes Investigation Section at the Saranda Police Station at the time of the offenses and was later transferred to the same position at the Lushnjë Police Station before his arrest.
This operation highlights SPAK’s commitment to tackling corruption and organized crime within law enforcement institutions in Albania.